System and method for monitoring and testing network elements

ABSTRACT

A system for monitoring and testing network elements of a wireless communication network includes at least one air surveillance device (ASD) connected to a target network element through a wire or wireless channel, and an air surveillance and management server (ASMS) which communicates with the ASD through the wireless communication network. The ASD collects radio environment data in real time, tests qualities of services around the target network element, and transmits the collected radio environment and test result data to the ASMS. The ASMS remotely controls the ASD, analyzes the data received from the ASD, and display an analysis result on a graphic user interface (GUI).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a radio environment analysisand, in particular, to a system and method for monitoring and testingremote network elements in real time.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004] As the communications industry evolves, network structures havebecome more complicated and radio communication technology has advancedat a very rapid pace. In the midst of these trends, telecommunicationcarriers are involved in a heated competition to secure moresubscribers. In an attempt to gain an advantage in the market, carriersare lowering service charges. They are also seeking to increase profitsby improving service quality, improving subscriber satisfaction, andminimizing network maintenance costs. To meet subscribers' demands forhigh quality communications, carriers are now required to designstreamed networks with cell planning and must also monitor radioenvironment using a propagation measurement and analysis system.

[0005]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional wirelesscommunication system. This system includes a plurality of mobileterminals 10, base transceiver station (BTS) 12 and repeaters 14 forrelaying communication between the mobile terminals 10, base stationcontrollers (BSC) 13 for controlling an overall management of the BTS's,MSC's 11 which are connected to fixed networks such as the PSTN, ISDN,etc. and which perform the switching functions needed to connect themobile terminals 10 to fixed network subscribers or to other mobilesubscribers, HLR's (not shown) storing all subscriber informationincluding the subscriber's access rights and the services he/she hassubscribed to, and a network management system (NMS) 15 for monitoringand troubleshooting traffic congestion and malfunctioning of the networkelements.

[0006] This communication system is further provided with a base stationmanager (BSM) 16 for managing and maintaining the BTS's 12 based oninformation collected through the dedicated lines between the BTS's 12and the BSC's 13.

[0007] Unlike the BTS's 12 that are connected via the dedicated lines,the repeaters 14 typically communicate with the BTS's 12 through acommon air interface (CAI) due to economical problems. Even if smallsize equipment such as repeaters 14 are connected to the BTS 12 throughdedicated lines, data for managing and maintaining the equipment shouldbe previously collected at the BTS 12 and then sent to a monitoringcenter for analysis.

[0008] In order to monitor the operating conditions of the small sizeequipment in a conventional wireless system, the equipment is typicallyprovided with sensors attached at main parts of the equipment and aseparate modem, which is connected to a public network through aphysical line. The management center collects the data gathered by thesensors by periodically polling the equipment and receiving event(interrupt) signals from the equipment whenever a malfunction isdetected by the sensors.

[0009] To perform this monitoring function, telecommunication carriershave considered building a separate management network for the sensorsand modems used to monitor the communications network, and especiallyfor monitoring remote equipment located in the network at low densityareas. The construction and management of this separate network ishighly undesirable because it is expected to add significantly to theoverall cost of providing telecommunication services to subscribers. Forthis reason, carriers have hesitated to install monitoring devices forsmall size equipment such as repeaters located at remote and low densityareas. The failure to monitor the performance of small size equipmenthas caused a deterioration in service quality.

[0010] Furthermore, since each sensor monitors only the associated partof the equipment on which the sensor is mounted regardless of otherparts of the same equipment, it is difficult to obtain a reliable statusreport on and an integrated analysis of the whole equipment

[0011] The above references are incorporated by reference herein whereappropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternativedetails, features and/or technical background.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the invention is to solve at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed hereinafter.

[0013] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve theabove problems.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system andmethod for monitoring and testing a network element using an airsurveillance device (ASD) installed at the network element, such that anair surveillance and management server (ASMS) can receive reliable radioenvironment data and/or on-demand status data from the network elementand then control the network element based on the collected data.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for monitoring and testing network elements which measuresvarious parameters associated with service quality, and/or testsconnection establishment and connection maintenance regardless ofservice area characteristics.

[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare achieved by providing a system for monitoring and testing remotenetwork elements which includes at least one air surveillance device(ASD) connected to a target network element through a wire or wirelesschannel, and an air surveillance and management server (ASMS) whichcommunicates with the ASD through the wireless communication network.

[0017] The ASD includes a wireless communication module which is usedfor performing various service quality tests around the target networkelement and communicating with the ASMS; a main control unit having aCPU, storage means, and an I/O controller connected to each otherthrough a data bus, the main control unit controlling the wirelesscommunication module; a power supplier for supplying D/C voltage to eachpart of the ASD; and a communication interface for connecting the ASD tothe network element such as a BTS and repeater.

[0018] The ASD performs a call setup test, connection maintenance test,and other tests for supplementary services provided by atelecommunication carrier.

[0019] The wireless communication module communicates with the ASD usingSMS messages.

[0020] To achieve the above objects, the method for monitoring andtesting remote network elements according to the present inventioncomprises the steps of loading an ASD operation program, collectingbasic radio environment data around the target network element,determining whether or not a counter ends up, entering a scheduled realtime radio environment reporting mode if the counter ends up,determining whether or not there is an event reporting a malfunction ofthe ASD if the counter does not end, entering an event processing modeif there is an event at the step, determining whether or not there is amessage received from the ASMS if there is no event, and entering acommand execution mode if there is the message received from the ASMS.

[0021] In the scheduled real time radio environment reporting mode, theASD determines whether or not there is the radio environment datapreviously collected, writes a message containing the radio environmentdata if there is the previously collected data, and sends the message tothe ASMS. The ASD collects the radio environment data if there is nopreviously collected data.

[0022] In the event processing mode the ASD determines whether the eventis malfunction occurrence event or malfunction relief event on aspecific malfunction item, writes a message containing a malfunctionindicator corresponding to the malfunction item if the event is themalfunction occurrence event, and sends the message to the ASMS. The ASDwrites and sends a message containing a malfunction relief indicatorcorresponding to the malfunction item if the event is the malfunctionrelief event.

[0023] In the command execution mode, the ASD determines whether acommand contained in the message received from the ASMS is a parameterupdate, specific data collection, or specific item test command,extracts parameter update information from respective fields of themessage if the command is the parameter update command, resetsparameters of the ASD operation program based on the parameter updateinformation, and sends a message indicating that the parameters areupdated.

[0024] The ASD enters a specific data collection procedure if thecommand is the specific data collection command. The specific datacollection procedure comprises the steps of determining whether or notthere is previously collected specific radio environment data requestedby the command, writing a message containing the specific data if thereis the specific data requested by the command, and sending the messageto the ASMS. The specific data collection procedure further comprisesthe step of collecting the specific radio environment data if there isno the data requested by the command.

[0025] The ASD enters specific item test procedure if the command is thespecific item test command. The specific item test procedure comprisesthe steps of determining whether or not the specific item test commandis a call setup test command, performing the call setup test if thespecific item test command is the call setup test command, determiningwhether or not the specific item test command is a connectionmaintenance test command if the specific item test command is not thecall setup test command, performing the connection maintenance test ifthe specific item test command is the connection maintenance testcommand, determining whether or not the specific item test command is aSMS function test command if the specific test command is not theconnection maintenance test command, performing the SMS function test ifthe specific item test command is the SMS function test command,determining whether or not the specific item test command is parameterconfiguration command if the specific item test command is not the SMSfunction test command, and performing the parameter configuration if thespecific item test command is the parameter configuration command.

[0026] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the inventionwill be set forth in part in the description which follows and in partwill become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realizedand attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of theinvention, and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0029]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional wirelesscommunication system;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a system for monitoring andtesting remote network elements according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a ASD of the system of FIG.2;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main control unit of theASD of FIG. 3;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an ASD operation programembedded in the ASD of FIG. 3.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring andtesting remote network elements according to the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the scheduled real time radioenvironment reporting mode of FIG. 6 in more detail;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the event processing mode ofFIG. 6 in more detail;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the command execution procedureof FIG. 6 in more detail;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the specific data collectionprocedure of FIG. 9 in more detail;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the specific item testprocedure of FIG. 9 in more detail;

[0040]FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the call setup test procedurein a calling ASD;

[0041]FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating call setup test procedure inthe called ASD;

[0042]FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a connection maintenance testprocedure in the calling ASD; and

[0043]FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a connection maintenance testprocedure in the called ASD.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044]FIG. 2 shows a system for monitoring and testing network elementsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The systemcomprises basic network elements such as a mobile switching center (MSC)21, HLR (not shown), a base transceiver station (BTS) 22, base stationcontroller (BSC) 23, repeaters 24, network management system (NMS) 25,and base station manager (BSM) 26. The system additionally includes atleast one Air Surveillance Device (ASD) 30 connected to a small-sizenetwork equipment such as, for example, BTS 22 or a repeater 14 througha wire or wireless channel so as to monitor and test the networkelement, and an Air Surveillance Management Server (ASMS) 40 forreceiving radio environment data and malfunction data from the ASD 30and managing the ASD 30 based on the data from the ASD.

[0045] The ASD measures and analyzes, preferably in real time, radioenvironment and qualities of services provided by the carrier at thearea where an associated small-size network element (e.g., BTS 22 orrepeater 24) is located, and reports measurement and analysis results tothe ASMS 40. The ASD can also test supplementary services as well asvoice communications using the BTS and/or repeaters and report the testresults to the ASMS 40.

[0046] The ASMS 40 may be implemented, for example, as UNIX equipmentand is preferably located at a center of the wireless communicationnetwork, in order to allow the ASMS to remotely monitor the operationconditions of all the network elements such as BTSs 22 and repeaters 24through their associated ASDs 30. The ASMS may also control therespective elements based on data gathered from the ASDs. Also, dataabout the operation state of the respective network elements may beoutput in various forms by the administrator.

[0047] The ASDs and the ASMS communicate the messages associated withnetwork element monitoring and testing to each other using short messageservice centers (SMSCs) 60 and inter-working units (IWUs) 70 belongingto the telecommunication carrier.

[0048]FIG. 3 shows a structure of an ASD in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a main controlunit of this ASD. As shown, the ASD comprises a power supplier 31, amain control unit 32, a wireless communication module 33, and acommunication interface 34.

[0049] The power supplier 31 is preferably a switching mode power supply(SMPS) module which converts AC voltage from an exterior power source(not shown) into DC voltage so as to distribute the DC voltage to innerparts of the ASD.

[0050] The main control unit 32 includes a CPU 32-1, a storage unit 32-2having a ROM, RAM, and Flash memory (EPROM), and an I/O controller 32-3.These elements are connected to each other through a bus 32-4. The maincontrol unit 32 controls all parts of the ASD and communications withthe BTSs 22 and repeaters 24 through the communication interface 34.

[0051] The wireless communication module 33 maybe provided with awireless communication function identical to that of a cellular or othertype of mobile phone so as to be used for measuring service quality ofan associated network element and for transmitting measured data to theASMS.

[0052] The communication interface 34 maybe provided with a RS-232C portto allow the ASD to be connected to the BTS 22 or repeater 24therethrough.

[0053]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of an ASD operatingprogram embedded in the ASD in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. As shown, the program comprises a repeater monitoringfunction interface (RMFI) module providing a logical interface to theassociated BTS 22 or repeater 24, a short message function interface(SMFI) module for providing a logical interface to the SMSC 60 fortransmitting the collected data to the ASMS, a diagnostic monitorfunction interface (DMFI) module for providing a logical interface forreceiving diagnostic and control data from the ASMS, and a processmanagement function interface (PMFI) module for controlling processes onthe ASD.

[0054] Operation of the ASD 30 will now be described hereinafter. TheASD communicates control messages with the ASMS 40 through the wirelesscommunication module 33 and communicates with an associated BTS 22 orrepeater 24 through the communication interface 34, so as to control theBTS 22 or repeater 24 and/or test a voice communication service andother supplemental services by executing a control message received fromthe ASMS 40. The ASD then feeds back the execution/test results andassociated information to the ASMS using the short message service (SMS)function of the wireless communication processor 33.

[0055] The wireless communication module 33 may also monitor and analyzethe radio environment in coverage of the target or associated BTS 22 orrepeater 24 through the CAI and report the analysis results to the ASMSusing the SMS function. The ASD may analyze service quality byestablishing a call connection to a mobile terminal, if required, andthen report a malfunction of the BTS 22 or repeater 24 to the ASMS ifthe analysis result is bad.

[0056] For this purpose, the ASD is preferably provided with a key-pademulation function for collecting required data from a mobile terminal,and for performing various tests required from the ASMS. The ASD mayalso include a software reset function for resetting one or more of theBTS 22, mobile terminal, and ASD 30 itself.

[0057] The ASMS, periodically or by administrator's request, receivesthe service quality data and call connection/connection maintenance testresult data collected by the ASD, and displays the conditions of all theelements distributed in the network through the GUI.

[0058] A method for monitoring and testing remote network elementsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference FIGS. 6 to FIG. 15. FIG. 6 is a flowchartillustrating a method for monitoring and testing remote network elementsaccording to the present invention. Once the ASD 30 is turned on, theASD operation program is loaded to set parameters such as a reportcounter for periodically reporting radio environment data, malfunctionitems that indicate various malfunctions of the monitored element andthreshold values of the respective malfunction items, and etc. withpredetermined values at step S101.

[0059] After initialization, the ASD collects basic radio environmentdata about the target or associated network equipment at step S102, andthen determines whether or not a cycle of the report counter ends up atstep S103.

[0060] If it is determined that the cycle of the report counter ends up,the ASD enters a scheduled real-time radio environment reporting mode atstep S200, and then returns to step S102 after completing executions inthe scheduled real time radio environment reporting mode.

[0061] If the report counter does not end, the ASD checks present setmalfunction items and determines whether the present values ofrespective malfunction items are greater than the threshold values ofthe corresponding malfunction items at step S104. The report counterincreases until the value of the counter is equal to a predeterminednumber and repeats the loop.

[0062] If it is determined that the value of at least one malfunctionitem is greater than a threshold value, the ASD enters an eventprocessing mode, at step S300, and returns to step S102 after completingexecutions in the event processing mode.

[0063] If there is no malfunction item at step S104, the ASD determineswhether or not there is an SMS message received from the ASMS at stepS105. If an SMS message is received from the ASMS, the ASD enters acommand execution mode at step S400, and returns to step S102 aftercompleting executions in the command execution mode. On the other hand,if there is no SMS message from the ASMS, the ASD returns to step S102to continue collecting basic parameters.

[0064]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps included in a scheduledreal-time radio environment reporting mode of FIG. 6 in more detail. Asshown, the ASD determines whether or not there is previously collectedradio environment data at step S201. If there is collected radioenvironment data, the ASD writes an SMS message contained the radioenvironment data at step S202 and sends the SMS message to the ASMS atstep S203. On the other hand, if there is no data previously collected,the ASD immediately collects radio environment data about the target orassociated equipment at step S204, and then carries out steps S202 andS203.

[0065]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing steps included in the eventprocessing mode of FIG. 6 in more detail. As shown, once the ASD entersthe event processing mode, the ASD determines whether or not an event isassociated with a malfunction occurrence or a malfunction relief at stepS301. If it is determined that the event is a malfunction occurrenceevent, the ASD writes an SMS message contained malfunction itemindicator corresponding to the item at step S302 and sends the SMSmessage to the ASMS at step S303. On the other hand, if it is determinedthat the event is a malfunction relief event, the ASD writes an SMSmessage contained a malfunction relief indicator corresponding to themalfunction item at step S304 and sends the SMS message to the ASMS 40.

[0066]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps included in the commandexecution mode of FIG. 6 in more detail. As shown, the ASD determineswhether the SMS message received from the ASMS contains parameterupdate, data collection, or specific item test command at step S401. Ifit is determined that the command is associated with one of theparameter update, specific data collection, or specific item test, theASD enters a corresponding procedure, i.e., a parameter updateprocedure, specific data collection procedure, or specific item testprocedure.

[0067] Once entering the parameter update procedure, the ASD extractsparameter update data from respective fields of the SMS message at stepS402, updates the previously stored parameters with the newly receivedones at step S403, and sends a SMS message indicating a successfulparameter update to the ASMS at step S404. At step S401, if it isdetermined that the command is associated with the specific datacollection, the ASD enters the specific data collection procedure atstep S500.

[0068]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing steps included in the specific datacollection procedure of FIG. 9 in more detail. As shown, once the ASDenters the specific data collection procedure, the ASD determineswhether or not there is previously collected specific data at step S501.If there is specific data requested by the ASMS, the ASD writes an SMSmessage containing the specific data at step S502 and then sends the SMSmessage to the ASMS at step S504. If there is no specific datapreviously collected, the ASD immediately collects specific radioenvironment data requested from the ASMS at step S503 and performs thesteps S502 and S503. At step S401 of FIG. 9, if it is determined thatthe command is associated with specific items tests, the ASD enters thespecific item test procedure.

[0069]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing steps included in the specific itemtest procedure of FIG. 9 in more detail. As shown, the ASD determineswhether or not the command indicates a call setup test at step S602. Ifthe command field indicates a call setup test, the ASD performs the callsetup test at step S605. If the command does not indicate a call setuptest, the ASD determines whether or not the command indicates aconnection maintenance test at step S603.

[0070] If the command indicates a connection maintenance test, the ASDperforms a connection maintenance test at step S607. If the command doesnot indicate a connection maintenance test, the ASD 30 determineswhether or not the command indicates an SMS function test at step S604.

[0071] If it is determined that the command indicates an SMS functiontest, the ASD performs an SMS function test at step S608. If the commanddoes not indicate an SMS function test, the ASD determines whether ornot the command indicates a test function configuration at step S605. Ifthe command indicates a test function configuration, the ASD performsthe test function configuration at step S609.

[0072]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing steps included in the call setuptest procedure in a calling ASD. As shown, the calling ASD sends a callsetup request to a called ASD at step S701, and waits to receive aconnection acknowledgment during a predetermined period at step S702. Ifthe calling ASD receives the connection acknowledgment from the calledASD during the predetermined period, the calling ASD sends an SMSmessage indicating a successful call setup to the ASMS at step S703 andthen releases the connection at step S704.

[0073] If the calling ASD does not receive a connection acknowledgmentfrom the called ASD during the predetermined period, the calling ASDrepeats to send the call setup request until the number (N) ofrepetitions is equal to a predetermined value (T) at step S705. If Nbecomes equal to T, the calling ASD sends an SMS message indicating acall setup failure to the ASMS at step S706.

[0074]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing steps included in a call setup testprocedure in the called ASD. As shown, the called ASD determines whetheror not there is a call setup request at step S751, and then determineswhether or not the call setup request is sent by the calling ASD at stepS752 if there is call setup request. If it is determined that the callsetup request is sent by the calling ASD, the called ASD sends aconnection acknowledgment to the calling ASD at step S753, and thensends an SMS message indicating the successful call setup to the ASMS atstep S754. After sending the SMS message, the called ASD releases theconnection at step S755.

[0075]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing steps included a connectionmaintenance test procedure in the calling ASD. As shown, the calling ASDsends a call setup request to the called ASD at step S801 and waits toreceive a connection acknowledgment from the called ASD during apredetermined period at step S802.

[0076] If there is no connection acknowledgment from the called ASDduring the predetermined period, the calling ASD repeats to send thecall setup request until a number of repetitions (N) is equal to apredetermined value (T) at step S807. If N becomes equal to T, thecalling ASD sends an SMS message indicating a call setup failure to theASMS at step S808.

[0077] On the other hand, if the calling ASD receives the connectionacknowledgment from the called ASD, the calling ASD sends an SMS messageindicating a successful call setup to the ASMS at step S803, and thendetermines whether or not the connection is maintained during apredetermined period at step S804.

[0078] If the connection is maintained during the predetermined period,the calling ASD sends an SMS message indicating successful connectionmaintenance to the ASMS at step S805 and releases the connection at stepS806. On the other hand, if the connection is not maintained during thepredetermined period, the calling ASD sends an SMS message indicating aconnection maintenance failure to the ASMS at step S809.

[0079]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing steps included in a connectionmaintenance test procedure in the called ASD. As shown, the called ASDdetermines whether or not there is a connection maintenance test requestat step S901 and sends a connection acknowledgment to the calling ASD atstep S902 if there is a connection maintenance test request.Sequentially, the called ASD sends an SMS message indicating asuccessful call setup to the ASMS and determines whether or not theconnection is maintained during the predetermined period at step S904.

[0080] If the connection is maintained during the predetermined period,the called ASD sends an SMS message indicating a successful connectionmaintenance to the ASMS at step S905 and then releases the connection atstep S906. On the other hand, if the connection is not maintained duringthe predetermined period, the called ASD sends an SMS message indicatinga connection maintenance failure to ASMS at step S907.

[0081] While this invention has been described in connection with whatis presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0082] As described above, since the system for monitoring and testingnetwork equipments according to the present invention allows the ASD tomonitor radio environment around target or associated network equipment(such as BTS, repeater, and etc.) and to collect specific radioenvironmental data requested from the ASMS in real time, it is possibleto remotely measure and analyze qualities of supplemental services aswell as the voice communication service.

[0083] Also, in the system of the present invention, the servicesqualities of the specific area are measured by the ASD located at thatarea and the associated data are reported to the ASMS, there is no needto dispatch monitoring/testing personnel for collecting the radioenvironment data and testing services, resulting in reduction ofequipment management costs.

[0084] Furthermore, after the radio environment of the area at which theASD is installed is stabilized, the ASD can be recovered and assigned toother area at which the radio environment monitoring and services testsare required such that the whole costs caused by monitoring/testingequipments can be reduced.

[0085] The system of the present invention, still more, allows tocollect various kinds of radio environment data, equipment performanceand malfunction data, and etc., and integrally analyze these data suchthat the analysis data can be used for improving the whole networkstability and communication reliability, resulting in improvement of thenetwork management efficiency.

[0086] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary andare not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The presentteaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thedescription of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, andnot to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In theclaims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structuresdescribed herein as performing the recited function and not onlystructural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring and/or testing networkelements of a wireless communication network, comprising: at least oneair surveillance device (ASD) connected to a target network elementthrough a wire or wireless channel; and an air surveillance andmanagement server (ASMS) communicating with the ASD through the wirelesscommunication network.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ASDcommunicates with the ASMS using a short message service (SMS).
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the ASD collects radio environment data inreal time, tests qualities of services around the target networkelement, and transmits the collected radio environment and test resultdata to the ASMS.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ASMS remotelycontrols the ASD, analyzes the data received from the ASD, and displayan analysis result on a graphic user interface (GUI).
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the ASD is operated by an ASD operation program whichincludes: a repeater monitoring function interface (RMFI) module whichprovides a logical interface to the network element; a short messagefunction interface (SMFI) module which provides logical interface to ashort message service center (SMSC) for transmitting the collected datato the ASMS; a diagnostic monitor function interface PMFI) module whichprovides logical interface for receiving diagnostic and control datafrom the ASMS; and a process management function interface (PMFI) modulewhich controls processes on the ASD.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe network element is one of a BTS and a repeater.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the ASD comprises: a wireless communication modulewhich performs at least one service quality test around the targetnetwork element, and which communicates with the ASMS; a main controlunit having a CPU, a storage unit, and an I/O controller connected to adata bus, the main control unit controlling the wireless communicationmodule; a power supplier for supplying voltage to each part of the ASD;and a communication interface which connects the ASD to the networkelement.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the network element is one ofa BTS and a repeater.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein said at leastone service quality test includes at least one of a call setup test,connection maintenance test, and tests for performing supplementaryservices provided by a telecommunication carrier.
 10. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the wireless communication module communicates with theASMS using SMS messages.
 11. A method for monitoring and/or testingnetwork elements of a wireless communication network, comprising:collecting radio environment data of the network; determining whether amode selection signal is generated, the mode selection signal requestingentrance into one of a plurality of predetermined modes; and entering acorresponding mode based on the mode selection signal if the modeselection signal is generated.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thepredetermined modes include at least one of a scheduled real-time radioenvironment reporting mode, an event-processing mode, and a commandexecution mode.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the scheduledreal-time radio environment reporting mode comprises: determiningwhether the radio environment data was previously collected; writing amessage containing the radio environment data if previously collected;sending the message to an air surveillance and management server. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the scheduled real-time radioenvironment reporting mode further comprises: collecting the radioenvironment data if not previously collected.
 15. The method of claim12, wherein the event-processing mode comprises: determining whether anevent is a malfunction occurrence event or a malfunction relief event ona specific malfunction item; writing a message containing a malfunctionindicator corresponding to the malfunction item if the event is themalfunction occurrence event; writing a message containing a malfunctionrelief indicator corresponding to the malfunction item if the event isthe malfunction relief event; and sending the message to an airsurveillance and management server.
 16. The method of claim 12, whereinthe command-execution mode comprises: determining whether an commandcontained in a message received from an air surveillance and managementserver (ASMS) is a parameter update, specific data collection, orspecific item test command; extracting parameter update information fromrespective fields of the message if the command is the parameter updatecommand; resetting parameters of an ASD operation program based on theparameter update information; sending the ASMS a message indicating thatthe parameters are updated; entering specific data collection procedureif the command is the specific data collection command; and enteringspecific item test procedure if the command is the specific item testcommand.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the specificdata-collection procedure comprises: determining whether there ispreviously collected specific radio environment data corresponding tothe command; writing a message containing the specific data if thespecific data exists corresponding to the command; and sending themessage to the ASMS;
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the specificdata-collection procedure further comprises: collecting the specificradio environment data if there is no data corresponding to the command.19. The method of claim 16, wherein the specific item test procedurecomprises: determining whether the specific item test command is a callsetup test command; performing the call setup test if the specific itemtest command is the call setup test command; determining whether thespecific item test command is a connection maintenance test command ifthe specific item test command is not the call setup test command;performing the connection maintenance test if the specific item testcommand is the connection maintenance test command; determining whetherthe specific item test command is an SMS function test command, if thespecific test command is not the connection maintenance test command;performing an SMS function test if the specific item test command is theSMS function test command; determining whether the specific item testcommand is a parameter configuration command if the specific item testcommand is not the SMS function test command; and performing parameterconfiguration if the specific item test command is the parameterconfiguration command.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step ofperforming the call setup test comprises: sending a called ASD a callsetup request by a calling ASD; determining whether there is aconnection acknowledgment from the called ASD; sending a messageindicating a successful call setup to the ASMS if the calling ASDreceives the connection acknowledgment from the called ASD; andreleasing connection.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the callingASD repeats to send the call setup request to the called ASD until anumber of repetitions is equal to a predetermined value (T), and if Nbecomes equal to T, sending a message from the calling ASD indicating acall setup failure to the ASMS.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein thestep of performing the call setup test comprises: determining whetherthere is a call setup request; determining whether the call setuprequest is sent by a calling ASD if there is the call setup request;sending a connection acknowledgment to the calling ASD if the callssetup request is received from the calling ASD; sending a messageindicating a successful call setup to the ASMS; and releasingconnection.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of performingthe connection maintenance test comprises: sending a called ASD a callsetup request by a calling ASD; determining whether there is aconnection acknowledgment received from the called ASD; sending amessage indicating a successful call setup to the ASMS if the connectionacknowledgment is received from the called ASD; sending a messageindicating a connection maintenance failure to the ASMS if theconnection acknowledgment is not received from the called ASD;determining whether the connection is maintained during a predeterminedperiod; sending a message indicating successful connection maintenanceto the ASMS; releasing connection.
 24. The method of claim 23, whereinthe calling ASD repeats to send the call setup request to the called ASDuntil a number (N) of repetitions is equal to predetermined value (T),and if N becomes equal to T, the calling ASD sends a message indicatinga call setup failure to the ASMS.
 25. The method of claim 19, whereinthe step of performing the connection maintenance test comprises:determining whether or not there is a connection maintenance testrequest from a calling ASD; sending a connection acknowledgment to thecalling ASD if there is a connection maintenance test request from thecalling ASD; sending a message indicating a successful call setup to theASMS; determining whether the connection is maintained during apredetermined period; sending a message indicating a successfulconnection maintenance to the ASMS if the connection is maintainedduring the predetermined period; and releasing connection.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the step of performing connectionmaintenance test further comprises: sending a message from the calledASD indicating a connection maintenance failure to the ASMS if theconnection is not maintained during the predetermined period.
 27. Amethod for monitoring performance of an element in a network,comprising: receiving a signal wirelessly transmitted by an element inthe network; and processing the signal to obtain performance informationrelating to the network.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the networkelement is one of a base transceiver station and a repeater.
 29. Themethod of claim 28, wherein said performance information is indicativeof a performance of the one of the base transceiver station andrepeater.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein said performanceinformation is indicative of a quality of communications passing throughthe network element.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein saidperformance information is indicative of a quality of voicecommunications passing through the network element.
 32. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the signal is received through a mobile stationcontroller.
 33. The method of claim 27, further comprising: transmittinga request signal to the network element, said request signal instructingthe network element to perform a performance test; and receiving aresponse signal wirelessly transmitted from the network element, saidresponse signal including information indicative of results of theperformance test.
 34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:displaying said performance information.
 35. The method of claim 33,further comprising: displaying said information indicative of theresults of the performance test.
 36. The method of claim 27, whereinsaid network is a mobile phone network.
 37. A network manager,comprising: an input unit which receives a signal wirelessly transmittedfrom an element in a communications network; and a processor whichprocesses the signal to obtain performance information relating to thenetwork.
 38. The network manager of claim 37, wherein the networkelement is one of a base transceiver station and a repeater.
 39. Thenetwork manager of claim 38, wherein said performance information isindicative of a performance of the one of the base transceiver stationand repeater.
 40. The network manager of claim 37, wherein saidperformance information is indicative of a quality of communicationspassing through the network element.
 41. The network manager of claim40, wherein said performance information is indicative of a quality ofvoice communications passing through the network element.
 42. Thenetwork manager of claim 37, wherein the signal is received through amobile station controller.
 43. The network manager of claim 37, whereinthe processor transmits a request signal to the network element, saidrequest signal instructing the network element to perform a performancetest, and wherein the input unit receives a response signal wirelesslytransmitted from the network element, said response signal includinginformation indicative of results of the performance test.
 44. Thenetwork manager of claim 37, further comprising: a display fordisplaying said performance information.
 45. The network manager ofclaim 43, further comprising: a display for displaying said informationindicative of the results of the performance test.
 46. The networkmanager of claim 37, wherein said network is a mobile phone network. 47.A monitoring device, comprising: a processor for receiving performanceinformation from an element in a network; and a communications unitwhich wirelessly transmits the performance information to a managementsystem.
 48. The device of claim 47, wherein the network element is oneof a base transceiver station and a repeater.
 49. The device of claim48, wherein said performance information is indicative of a performanceof the one of the base transceiver station and repeater.
 50. The deviceof claim 47, wherein said performance information is indicative of aquality of communications passing through the network element.
 51. Thedevice of claim 50, wherein said performance information is indicativeof a quality of voice communications passing through the networkelement.
 52. The device of claim 47, wherein the communications unitreceives a wirelessly transmitted request signal requesting a desiredperformance test, said processor performing said desired test andwirelessly transmitting results of the performance test through thecommunications unit.
 53. The device of claim 47, wherein thecommunications unit is one compatible with a mobile phone network.